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University of Nebraska - Kearney Athletics

Klaire Kirsch & Maegan Holt
Corbey R. Dorsey
51
Northwest Mo. St. NMSU 17-10,12-9 MIAA
68
Winner Neb.-Kearney UNKWBB 21-6,16-5 MIAA
Northwest Mo. St. NMSU
17-10,12-9 MIAA
51
Final
68
Neb.-Kearney UNKWBB
21-6,16-5 MIAA
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Northwest Mo. St. NMSU 15 14 10 12 51
Neb.-Kearney UNKWBB 18 12 26 12 68

Next Game:

Missouri Western St.

2/25/2022 | 5:30 p.m.

The River 93.1/106.9 KRVN FM

Next Game

Full Schedule
Feb. 25 (Fri) / 5:30 p.m.
 Missouri Western St.
History

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

Lopers Scorch the Nets in the Third to Beat the Bearcats

Kearney, Neb. – Post Brooke Carlson scored a career-high 23 points and Nebraska-Kearney shot 79 percent in the third quarter to turn back Northwest Missouri State, 68-51, Thursday night at the Health & Sports Center.

The Lopers (21-6, 16-5) add to their NCAA resume and down the Bearcats (17-10, 12-9) for a fifth straight time. UNK also remains in sole possession of the third place in the MIAA standings.

In a battle of two of the top defensive squads in the league, UNK led for 33 minutes and by a 30-29 margin at the break. The 'Cats went 4 of 9 from behind the arc in the first half, getting makes from four different players, to hang around. However, the Lopers exploded for 26 points in the third quarter that featured two treys and eight straight points by Carlson (Elkhorn). Overall, Kearney was a super 11 of 14 from the field in the third. 

"We saved a couple of things for the second half offensively. We went to that right away and were able to feed Brooke in the post," said Loper head coach Carrie Eighmey. "She was phenomenal in there today. She played with great pace, made a lot of really good reads and was super-efficient."

A 16-6 run to start the second half gave UNK its first double digit lead of the night and it never looked back. Northwest made just 2 of 9 second half threes, was out rebounded by 11 and surrendered 46 paint points.

"Brooke was huge for us in the third quarter. I think we went to her six or seven straight possessions in a row," said Eighmey. "Today we started a little bit of a different (starting) lineup. We're able to match other teams … if they want to go big, we can go big. If they want to go small, we have the ability to do that especially defensively."

Over 27 minutes, Carlson was an efficient 11 of 15 from the floor and 1 for 1 at the line. She also had six rebounds. Her previous career high of 22 points came against Minnesota-Crookston (11/8/19) and these same 'Cats (1/23/20).

"She is a tough matchup for a lot of teams. Even today, she was facing up, playing from that 8-10-12 foot range," said Eighmey. "Brooke is so skilled. She can handle it, she can put the ball on the floor, she can face up from 15 feet and is obviously really good in the post."

Next, forward Elisa Backes (Salina, Kan.) had 15 points and two of UNK's three triples with guard Haley Simental (Pueblo West, Colo.) at nine points and tying her season-high of seven assists. Finally, wing Klaire Kirsch (Rapid City, SD) had a game-high 11 boards with reserve forwards Maegan Holt (Council Bluffs, Ia.) and Shiloh McCool (Pleasant Hill, Ia.) combining for 12 points and seven more rebounds.  

Northwest was paced by starters Molly Hartnett (13 points, three assists) and Peyton Kelderman (12 points, three assists).

"They like to play isolation around the rim. We emphasized that the last couple of days and we needed to be able to handle that one-on-one and make it tough," said Eighmey. "Just try to make those shots as tough as possible and then rebound the ball."

UNK hosts Missouri Western State on Friday night to close out the 2021-22 home slate. The Griffons (20-7, 14-7) nationally-ranked Fort Hays State for most of the way tonight but lost in overtime, 78-69.  
 
 
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Players Mentioned

Elisa Backes

#5 Elisa Backes

G/F
6' 1"
Sophomore
Brooke Carlson

#45 Brooke Carlson

C
6' 1"
Sophomore
Maegan Holt

#15 Maegan Holt

G/F
6' 0"
Sophomore
Klaire Kirsch

#20 Klaire Kirsch

G/F
5' 11"
Sophomore
Shiloh McCool

#25 Shiloh McCool

G/F
5' 11"
Sophomore
Haley Simental

#10 Haley Simental

G
5' 8"
Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

Elisa Backes

#5 Elisa Backes

6' 1"
Sophomore
G/F
Brooke Carlson

#45 Brooke Carlson

6' 1"
Sophomore
C
Maegan Holt

#15 Maegan Holt

6' 0"
Sophomore
G/F
Klaire Kirsch

#20 Klaire Kirsch

5' 11"
Sophomore
G/F
Shiloh McCool

#25 Shiloh McCool

5' 11"
Sophomore
G/F
Haley Simental

#10 Haley Simental

5' 8"
Graduate Student
G